Cast-metal vehicle wheel



March 23 1926.

T. R. DAVIS CAST METAL VEHICLE WHEEL I 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 29 INVENTOR. Thom ash. Bam's BY w 5 WA TTORNEYS.

- March 23 1926. 1,578,238

T. R. DAVIS C AST METAL VEHICLE WHEEL Filed May 29 I 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jo if INVENTOR. 1 /2 amazsJZ Davis WA TTO RNEYS.

March 23 1926. 1,578,238

T. R. DAVIS CAST METAL VEHICLE WHEEL Filed May 29 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 M I i a I! h 1 J3 INVENTOR. 1

Q6 Ti; 0/ 625B. Davis BY Z51 ATTORNEYS.

, tire carrying rim, adapted to be secured to Patented Mar. 23, 1926.

UNITED STATES.

jtszazss PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS RICE DAVIS, or FA'IRFIE'LD, CoNNECTICUT, AssrGNoiVTo THE EASTERN MALLEABLE IRON 00., OF BRIDGEPORT,

NECTICUT.

CONNECTICUT, A qonroRATIoN or .CoN-

CAsT-METAI/ VEHICLE WHEEL.

, Application filed May 29,

the periphery of the disk wheel structure.

Another object is to provide a wheel structure of relatively great strength, so as t withstand torsional, weight and side strains, and which will at the same time be ofex tremely'light weight, as compared with cast wheels heretofore in use. A further object is to provide in such a wheel structure a plurality of spaced rim supporting means integral therewith, and so desig'nedas to provide adequate support for the rim, and at the same time not add-greatly to the weight of the wheel.

A still further object is to provide a wheel having anintegral brake drum, adapting the same touse-as either a.front or rear brakeequipped wheel, and also to provide an im: proved co-relative brake and wheel structure in which the brake is centralized with respect to the central plane of rotation ofthe wheel, so that the most efficient braking is obtained, this being particularly impor- I tant with front wheel brakes.

With the above and other objects in View, embodiments ofthe invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, and these embodiments will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto, and the invention will be finally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of'a cast wheel,- according to the invention, adapted for front axle use, and "showing the rim partially. broken away; 1' 'i i Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional View thereof; a

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a cast. wheel, according to a modified form thereof, adapted for rear axle use, and the tire carrying rim being removed;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of one of the inforc ng ribs 22 1924.1 Serial No. 16,585.

rim seats, as provided on the wheel structure shown in F ig. 3;

Fig.5 is transverse sectional view of the wheel'shown in Fig. 3; I

Fig. 6 is, a front elevation of another modified form of wheel, according to the invention, and adapted forfront axle use;

Fig. .7 is a .transver'se sectional view thereof; F i

Fig. 8 is a'f'ront elevation of a furthermodified form of "wheel, adapted for rear axle use;

Fig. 9 of; and

v Fig. 10 is a detail side view of one of the rim seats. 1

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding: parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, the embodiment of the invention shown therein comprises a hub 10, illustrated as adapted for use upon the front axle spindles of an automobile, but which may be designed for rear axle/ use, and a main plate or web portion 11 formed integrally with the hub, and

curved rearwardly from its point of connection to a relatively flat marginal portion, radial reinforcing ribs 12 being formed integrally between the hub and the innersurface of the web.

At its periphery the web'v is provided with a relatively smallbead 13 (Fig. '2), and at aplurality of equally spaced points there are. provided radial extension portions 14 of the main web portion having inwardly extending rifn' seats 15 formed integrally therewith, being slightly beveled at their forward ends, as at 16, and flared outwardly attheir is atransverse sectional view thererearward ends, as at 17, for seating engagement therewith of the rim, as willpresently more fully appear.

The extensions 14 are furthermore each provided with .a recessed face with an annular cylindrical brake drum portion 20, formed integrally therewith, reinforced by radial ribs 21 extending betweenthe same and the rim seats 15, and which also reinforce the said seats, and also byv reprovided centrally between the ribs 21.

. the rim is secured by a continuous retain ng ring 26 bearing upon the front surface'of the Web and the flanges rib 24 of the rim, and heldby bolts 27 engaged in the holes 19. This ring 26 closes the peripheral spaces of the web portion between the extension 14 unbroken continuation thereof, and are proso that a solid disc struoture is presented.

I Oneof' the rim-seats i is preferably pr vided with an aperture 28 for the tire valve stem, and an opening 29 is furthermore provided in the web for the end of the stemi' which is bent at a. right angle, throughsaid opening 29.;

The wheel, according to my invention,

may be cast by simpleand eflicient casting P Pref methods, and a light strong structure. ispro- I sions 14 and the closing ring 26 produces a' vided. 'The prbvision of the spaced extensolid disc strueture, which atlthe' same time is extremely light in weight.

In Figs. 3 to 5 there is-illustrated a modi-, fied construction, comprising a hub an integral web or disk 31, dished between v the hub, and a flat marginal portion, and

reinforced by' ribs 32 between the hub and the underside of the web. of the web there. is provided a beveled head 33, and at equally "spaced points integral rim seats 34 are formed, extending rearwardly and at right angles to the web,'and beingflared at their inner ends, as at 35, to retain the tire carrying rim thereon. Radial reinforcing ribs 36 extend between the rim seats and a cylindrical brake drum 37 formed integral with the web, and bolt holes 38 are providedin the web adjacent the rim seats for the purpose of receiving the retaining bolts for the rim retaining lugs. V In inwardly space-d relation and in radial alignment with the holes 38 the web is provided with pockets 39 for positioning the ends of the rim retaining lugs.

One of the rim seats'is wider than the others, having an additional reinforcing web 40, and is provided with an aperture 41 for receiving the tire valve stem, the end of which is adapted to be projected through a hole 42 in the web. The opposed rim seat is also wider than the others, for the purpose of eounterbalancing'the aperture rim seat, and therefore balancing the wheel.

In Figs. 6 and 'I there is shown a further modification, substantially similar to the form shown in Figs. 3 to 5, without a brake drum, however,'and provided with an init'gral front axle spindle hub 43. This form I P may also have a brake drum, if desired.

In Figs. 8 to 10 there is shown a still this. rim seats.

30 adapted for use upon a rear axle spindle, and

At the periphery vided at their ends with integral rim seat portions 49 extending inwardly at right angles thereto reinforcing side flanges 50 I and 51 extending along the side edges of the extensions between the brake drum and I ,The rim seats are beveled at their forward ends, as at "52, and flared at their rearward ends, as at- 53, and in inwardly spaced relation to the seats the extensions are provided with holes 54 for engagement of the retaining bolts, whilein further inwardly. spaced relation there are provided recesses 55 for positioning'the lugs.

The flanged tire carrying rim 56, illus-- tratedin this embodiment, is provided with 'a removable rim' flan'ge engaged m an an nular groove 57'of the rim, and is retained in engagement with the rim seats by lugs 58 securedby bolts 59 engaged in theholes 54. -Qne of the rim seats'isprovidedwith an aperture 60 for the flanged and apertured driving lug 61 of the-rim,'and the tire valve stem 62 engage'd in said lug, the end of said stem adapted to be projected through a hole 63in the spoke extension v portion 48.- I

'The construction, according to "this embodiment of the invention, is of great strength, may be conveniently and efficiently cast, and by reason of the semi-spoke structure is extremely light in weight.

It will be noted, particularly with refer ence to the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1- and 2, that the brake drum is circumferentially aligned with the rim, and that the central plane of rotation of the tire, and therefore the point of contact with the round,'passes centrally through the brake rum, so that the ,braking resistance is applied in direct line with thetorsional moment of the wheel, and the maximum braking 'efliciency is thus obtained. This is particularly important with front wheels, whereany off-center resistance is apt to impair the steering of the wheels.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory embodiments of the inven' tion, but it will be obvious that changes may I claim and desire iIl' secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. In a vehicle wheel, :a casting including an, integral hub and web structure, spaced rim seat-s integrally formed about the periphery of said web structure, unconnected at the rim to provide unbridged spaces between said seats, a demountable rim engaged upon said seats, and means adapted to secure 'said rim to said seats.

2.- In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral liub andwweb structure, radial reinforcing ribs disposed between the hub and inner surface. of said web structure, spaced rim seats integrally formed about the periphery of said webstructuref'unconnected at the rim to provide unbridgedspaces between said seats, a demountable rim engaged upon said seats, and means adapted to secure said rim to said seats.

-3. In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web structure, spaced rim seats integrally formed about the periphery of said web structure, unconnected at the rim to provide unbridged spaces between said seats, ademountable rim engaged upon said seats, and means adapted to secures-aid rim to said seats.

5. Ina vehicle wheel, a casting including anintegral hub and web structure,a cylin-- drical brake drum integrally formed upon the inner side of the web structure, spaced rim seats integrally formed about the periph ery of said .web structure, radial reinforcing ribs integrally-formed between said rim seats, web and the outer cylindrical surface of said'br'ake drum, a demountable rim engaged upon said rim seats, and means adapted to secure said rim to said rim seats,

6. In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web structure, said web structure including spaced radial extension portions formed integrally therewith, rim

seats formed in grally upon the ends of' said extension portions, a. demountable rim engaged upon said seats, and means adapted to secure said rimto said seats. I 4

7. In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an ,integral hub and web structure, spaced rim seats formed integrally about the periph ery of. said web structure unconnected at the rim to provide unbridged spaces between said seats and having beveled forwardportions and outwardl flanged rearward portions, and said web portion having retaining bolt receivin holes adjacent each rim seat", a denlounta leprim engaged upon said seats, and means engaged in said holes adapted to secure said rim to said seats. 8. In a vehicle Wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web structure including drum integrally formed upon the periphery of said circular web portion, said web structureinclud'ing spaced radial extension portions formed integrally with said circularweb portion and extending radially outward from'said brake drum, rim seat's formed in- 'tegrally upon the ends of said extension pon- 'tions, andademountable rim engaged upon saidseats andtmeans adapted-to secure said rim*,to said seats. 7

9. In a vehicle wheel, a casting including an integral hub and web ,structure 'includa' circular "web portion, a cylindrical brake\ ing a circular web, portion, a cylindrical brake drug'n integrally formed upon the peripheryof said circular web portion, said web structure including spaced radial extension portions formed integrally with said circular web portion and extending radially outward from said brake drum, rim seats formed integrally upon the ends of saidex; tension 'portions, reinforcing radial ribs formed'integrally between said rim seats, web, and the outer cylindrical surface of the brake drum, a demountable rim engaged upon said seats, and means adapted to secure said rim to said seats.

10. In a vehicle/wheel, a casting includ-f 1 ing an' v integral hub and web structure,'

spaced rim seats integrally formed about the periphery of said web structure, unconnected at the rimto, provide unbridged spaces between said seats and extending at an angle to said web structure and in substantially parallel relation to the axis of the wheel, a demountable rim engaged upon said seats, and means adapted to secure said rim to said seats.

11.-In a vehicle wheel, a. castingincluding an integral hub and circular web portion, a brake drum element formed upon the inner side of said webportion, spaced rim seats radially spaced 'from and disposed about said drum, and demountable rim engaged upon said-seating means, the central plane of rotation of said rim;passing through the central plane or the brake'element.

Si ned at Bridgeport in the county of Fair eld and State of Connecticut this 28th day of May A.'D., 3:924.

THOMAS Bron DAVIS}: 

